China Nature and Panda Tour
14-Day Private China Tour: Beijing– Xi'an– Chengdu–Chongqing–Xiamen–Shanghai
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Beijing and Xian, exploring the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Terracotta Army. Encounter adorable pandas in Chengdu and embark on an unforgettable tour in Chongqing. Discover the coastal charm of Xiamen with its beautiful beaches and cultural heritage.
The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Send us details of your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Find the Hidden Halls in the Forbidden City

Experience the Unique Great Wall Night Tour at Simatai Section

Make a Mini warrior with a Local Artisan Family

Explore the Famous Gulangyu Island in Xiamen

Why Choose Us

Your Wellbeing is Our Priority.
- 1-to-1 travel expert
- Vaccinated guides
- Private Rides

Your Trip is Perfectly Planned.
- Less crowded
- Exclusive Exciting Experiences

Your Booking is Risk-Free.
- No cancellation fee (up to 22 days before departure)
- Free changes
Finish Your Booking in as Quick as 1 Day
1. Tell us your dream travel idea
2. Work out your unique plan with 1 to 1 expert advice
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Olivia Tian, a sunshine tour guide!
In October, my friend Amy booked a tour with Chinahighlights, Olivia Tian was our guide in Beijing, she is such a sweet n happy person to be around, not only she gave us the best guide service, also very accommodating, alter the plan as per our interest, took us to very local shopping n food district. Above all, she takes awesome pics, very patient!! Thank you so much for such pleasant 5 days in BJ, look forward to see you when we are back in China, Olivia!! more
Dec 2023,
Venture216019
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One whole of a good experience !
Kevin was always making flexible arrangements for us making sure we meet our needs. Kevin also walked us to our desired restaurant daily making sure all are well before he left. Kudos to the whole team. Highly recommend ? more
Dec 2023,
Cornelius C
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China is Amazing Wonders that do not stop coming at you.Great country
Great job,Loved every minute of it,Ethan did an amazing job,True Ambassador of China,Just like the Chinese people,Friendly, dignified and hardworking,Very happy.China Highlights exceeded expectations and then some,I will never even think of travelling with another company. more
Dec 2023,
Philip Sardar /Maps10321171537
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Wonderful trip to Beijing and Xian
Had a great trip to bejing n xian. Our guide lily liu is so well versed in english and we have no worry here at all. We managed to dine in great halal restaurants though out our trip. Highly reccomended to all muslims travellers. more
Dec 2023,
Efen Reyes
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Great experience, highly recommended!
Additionally, she helped me with all my personal needs like getting a SIM card, finding an ATM, shopping, dining, checking in at the train station, hotel, suggested a couple additional very entertaining art events. Was also punctual and spoke good English. more
Nov 2023,
Wayne S.
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Excellent tour with Tom from China Highlights
We used China Highlights for the 3 days of our Beijing trip. Tom was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgable with excellent English. He was able to accommodate changes to our tour at short notice, allowing us to make the most of our limited time. Couldn’t recommend highly enough more
Nov 2023,
Ross
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Magical Adventure
Wow this tour was honestly the best tourI have ever taken! Our guide Simon Yao was simply superb! His English was excellent and he was very easy to talk to. He was personable and friendly but not overpowering or overbearing. Very knowledgeable about history. Thankfully the weather was good so we were not super hot !Finally at the wall we were amazed by it's beauty and grandeur. It really is something and pictures don't do it justice. more
Nov 2023,
Annika M
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Excellent two day visit to Great Wall
Our guide ‘Mark’ was incredible. So friendly, knowledgable and funny. The itinerary was perfect, we got to see two different parts of the Great Wall (one of which at night which was magical) and our hotel stay in Gubei was wonderful. Highly recommend to anybody visiting Beijing more
Nov 2023,
James_Wolstenholme
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Great Experience from start to finish!
Jack was my guide and his local knowledge and English skills were fantastic. He was punctual, friendly and willing to flex as we went about our tour. Couldn’t recommend China Highlights more! more
Nov 2023,
Scott Smith
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Family tour
Helen in Beijing - thanks for paying great attention to details, for your small surprises for the children every day, for selecting amazing restaurants, and leading wonderful walking tours. Your cheerfulness added to our enjoyment. more
Nov 2023,
Kamila
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Great day out with Mark, thanks China Highlights!
We did a 1 day private tour with China Highlights to see Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Communication was great throughout - from trip planning/booking with Roger and from our guide Mark who contacted us the day before to confirm meet up time/location. Avoided a lot of the queues and definitely learned quite a bit of history from our guide Mark…thanks again! No language barriers/issues…highly recommended. more
Nov 2023,
ykeezy
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China Three (3) Cities Tours
To the tour guides, Ethan, Jason and Tony, you guys have made my visit an awesome and memorable experience. All the tour guides spoke english and communicated very effectively. They are knowledgeable about all the sites visited including, Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Panda Breeding and Research Center, Leshan Giant Buddha, Hallelujah Mountains, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge, and Tianmen Mountain. The tour guides ensured I got the most out of my time I stayed in the various cities Beijing, Chengdu and Zhangjiajie. more
Nov 2023,
Kadar
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13 days in China
We booked a 13 day’s tour of China with China Highlights. Our travel advisor, Ms Leah Zhou organised an itinerary that suited what we wanted. She was really helpful and patient will all our needs. Leah helped us organised our 30th Wedding Anniversary Dinner and my 60th Birthday celebration?? in Beijing. For this to be possible, she had to liaise with our guide in Beijing. The flowers and cake were a real surprise. My husband and I, were really touched at the good service provided by China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou. Thank you China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou for your constant care of your customers. I will certainly recommend China Highlights to my friends. more
Nov 2023,
Eda Adams
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Perfect Beijing experience
Covering all major sights our exploration of Beijing and surroundings was flawless guided by Lily, along with her knowledgeable and balanced information on Chinas culture and history. In particular, Lily was able to adjust the tour according to personal preferences, e.g. focus on photography, as well as suggesting additional activities like an impressive authentic artistic show. I highly recommend China Highlights as China tour operator and Lily Liu as excellent guide regarding the Beijing area. more
Nov 2023,
Perfect Beijing experience
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Our first trip to Beijing
Our tour guide was Lucy Yubo. She was awesome. Very friendly, informative and passionate about her job. We really enjoyed her company and guidance. more
Nov 2023,
Sreelatha Reddy
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Anne and Bob’s tour of Beijing
We did the China Highlights tour of Beijing with our excellent guide Mark and his driver. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Beijing highlights including the Lama Temple, the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Lama Temple. The Summer Palace with the boat ride and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony were memorable also and the Mutianyu Great Wall was a highlight. We were impressed with Mark as a guide. He knew his history and he was kind and thoughtful. He took us to some excellent restaurants and we were introduced to some beautiful food. We enjoyed his company and will always remember him. more
Nov 2023,
BendigoBob
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Excellent end to end service
Helen is a positive, full of knowledge, experienced guide.She provided us an implacable service abd experience for 3 days .Highly recommended more
Nov 2023,
Sariel Engel
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Amazing Beijing Tour with Risa!
Risa gave us a wonderful tour of the city! She thoroughly explained the cultuaral importance of each exhibit while also educating us on the Chinese culture. Appreciated having this wonderful Beijing trip with Risa:) more
Nov 2023,
Angelica M.
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Amazing Beijing Tour With Risa!
We were very kindly received in Beijing by our tour guide Risa. She gave us a very thorough tour of the city and showed us wonderful places, while also explaining the important history/culture of China! Very beautiful city filled with many things to do and full of culture! This was very well planned and made it very easy for us to visit the city and foreigners:) Thank you Risa! more
Nov 2023,
Angelica M
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Do Beijing like a local
They organised my trip very quickly and efficiently. On the day, Anna was very friendly to me, my mum and my baby. Very accommodating to our needs. The car was immaculately clean and very comfortable. We visited everything we initially wanted and more. Also, Anna took us to the best meal we had in China. It makes a difference to have a local choosing the dishes! more
Nov 2023,
Natali A
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at the arrival hall in Beijing. A comfortable private car with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you to check-in.
The Forbidden City: Explore the magnificent Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing. This ancient imperial complex was once the home of 24 emperors during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. Marvel at its grandeur as you stroll through the vast square, grand halls, intricate gates, beautiful gardens, courtyards, and living quarters. The exhibitions, showcasing both permanent and temporary treasures, offer a glimpse into the rich history of ancient China. Expect approximately 2 hours of walking (covering 2 kilometers), with a moderate level of difficulty.
Hutong Tour in Xicheng District: Embark on a fascinating journey through the historic alleyways known as Hutongs. These narrow lanes are lined with traditional courtyard houses that capture the charm of old Beijing, although they are vanishing rapidly. Enjoy a guided tour where you can hop on a rickshaw and ride through the winding alleys. Visit a local family to gain insight into their way of life, and walk across the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Bridge) while discovering the unique features of the different courtyards.
Tiananmen Square: Discover Tian'anmen Square, the largest city square in central Beijing. Named after the Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) situated to its north, this square holds immense cultural significance as the site of key events in Chinese history. As a symbol of China's national pride, it is surrounded by impressive structures including the Heavenly Gate (entrance to the Forbidden City), museums, government buildings, and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
Great Wall Hiking from Jinshanling to Simatai West: Embark on a moderate-level hike along the Jinshanling to Simatai West section of the Great Wall. Capture stunning photos and explore over 15 well-preserved watchtowers. Experience both restored and unrepaired sections during this 3-hour trek.
Gubei Water Town: Discover the picturesque Gubei Water Town, surrounded by a tranquil lake reservoir and the majestic Simatai Great Wall. Immerse yourself in the beauty of mountains, water, and ancient villages. Consider an overnight stay for the enchanting night views of the illuminated Simatai section.
Simatai Great Wall Night Tour: Experience the unique opportunity to explore the illuminated Simatai section of the Great Wall at night. Enjoy fantastic views and marvel at the shimmering lake below. Visit Towers 5 and 6 during the night tour, and take advantage of cable cars for convenience.
Summer Palace with Boat Ride and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony: Explore the magnificent Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved royal park. Take a leisurely 2-hour walk (covering 2 kilometers) through the park, enjoying its natural beauty and cultural significance. Don't miss the charming boat ride experience.
Lama Temple: Visit the vibrant Yonghe Lamasery, the renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple showcasing beautiful halls, courtyards, and the world's largest wooden statue. Immerse yourself in Tibetan culture and witness devout worshippers seeking blessings.
Temple of Heaven: Step back in time as you explore the Temple of Heaven, a remarkable complex of Taoist buildings dating back to the Ming dynasty (1420). This historical site played a significant role in the emperors' annual ceremonies, where they prayed for prosperous harvests. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the temple's park, where locals gather in the morning to sing, exercise, and practice Tai Chi. Covering 273 hectares in the southern part of central Beijing, expect a leisurely 1-1.5 hour walk (covering 1.5 kilometers).
Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Explore the majestic Terracotta Warriors, an army of over 7,000 soldiers guarding Emperor Qin's tomb since 210 BC. Each figure is unique, and you can witness ongoing excavation in three protected pits. Don't miss the museum and film showcasing the vaults' history. Wear comfortable shoes and take photos (no flash).
Terracotta Warrior at a Cave Dwelling Experience: Visit a countryside cave dwelling family workshop to learn the ancient art of making Terracotta Warriors. Interact with local artisans and discover the intricate steps involved in crafting these life-sized figures.
Xian City Wall with Bicycle: Cycle along the historic Xian City Wall, one of China's oldest and best-preserved city defenses. Enjoy a thrilling ride around the 13.74-kilometer perimeter. If biking conditions are unfavorable, visit the Bell Tower instead. Bike rental fees are included, and guides provide route suggestions. Club cars are available for those who prefer not to bike.
Shaanxi History Museum: Immerse yourself in the rich history of China at the Shaanxi History Museum, widely regarded as one of the nation's best museums. Housed in grand Tang-style buildings, explore four major galleries filled with an extensive and impressive collection beautifully presented. While most item labels are in English, some additional information may not be, but your guide will be there to assist. Don't forget to wear comfortable walking shoes for your visit.
Dumpling Cooking Experience: Delve into the culinary delights of China by learning to make Jiaozi or dumplings with meat and vegetable fillings. Experience the warmth of local hospitality as you are welcomed into a local home for this hands-on activity. Discover the art of dumpling making and gain insight into the local culture. The entire process takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Muslim Quarter: Step into the vibrant atmosphere of the Muslim Quarter, located just 100 meters west of the Bell tower in downtown Xi'an. Stroll along the 500-meter-long avenue adorned with bluestone pavement, and explore the unique stalls, souvenir shops, cafes, and bars predominantly run by Muslim locals. This bustling area is a popular destination for tourists, offering a variety of shopping experiences.
Panda Breeding and Research Center: Visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center, located just north of Chengdu. Explore the nursery and witness the successful breeding program for giant pandas and other endangered species. Don't miss the panda museum for valuable information. Note: Consider arriving at 7:00 am to avoid large crowds during July and August. Please be aware that interactive activities with pandas are currently closed due to protection measures.
Local Tea House in People's Park: Find tranquility in the People's Park, known for its bonsai gardens, lakes, and traditional tea houses. Experience Chengdu's tea culture and consider trying a local massage.
Chengdu Kuan-zhai Lane: Step into the past at Kuan-zhai Lane, an alley where old Chengdu comes to life. Explore the restored area with its mix of Western food, takeaways, coffee shops, and art.
Jinsha Museum: Explore the Jinsha archaeological site in Chengdu, revealing a three-thousand-year history. Discover significant relics, including gold, bronze, jade, and lacquer wares. Unearthed artifacts like ivory, buck teeth, and antlers add to the collection's intrigue.
Jinli Old Street with Snack Tasting: Experience the charm of Jinli Old Street, showcasing traditional Sichuan architecture. Sample local snacks like bean jelly, sweet potato noodles, and Sichuan-style wontons. For the daring, try rabbit head in chili sauce.
Furong Cave: Embark on a mesmerizing journey through Furong Cave, adorned with stunning formations of calcite, aragonite, and gypsum. Marvel at the clusters of crystals, cave pearls, stalactites, and draperies that create a dazzling natural palace. The cave comes to life with multicolored lighting, adding to its enchantment.
Three Natural Bridges: Explore the captivating Three Natural Bridges in Wulong, the main highlights of the area. These majestic bridges reach heights of up to 100 meters and span 30 meters in width. Join fellow travelers as you hike around the bridges and wander through the breathtaking gorge.
Visit Fairy Hill National Forest Park, ranked among Chongqing's top attractions. This expansive park covers 8,910 hectares and offers stunning scenery including forests, peaks, meadows, and snowy landscapes. During summer, enjoy outdoor sports like grass skiing, off-road vehicles, and paragliding. In winter, the park transforms into a ski resort.
South Putuo Temple: Visit the historic South Putuo Temple at the foot of Wulao Peak in Xiamen. Admire its collection of Buddhist cultural relics, including a Burmese jade carving of the Buddha. Afterward, climb Wulao Peak for panoramic views of Xiamen University and Xiamen Port.
Gulangyu Island: Explore Gulangyu Island, famous for its colonial buildings and musical heritage. Discover attractions like Crag of Sunlight and Shuzhuang Garden, and enjoy leisurely strolls along its winding paths. Don't forget to browse the local shops for interesting souvenirs.
East Nanjing Road: Experience leisure, shopping, and dining on East Nanjing Road, perfect for those seeking medium-priced options. Explore the area's time-honored feature stores offering unique finds.
West Nanjing Road: Discover luxury shopping centers on West Nanjing Road, home to renowned brands like Armani, Hermes, LV, Givenchy, and Cartier. Explore popular destinations such as Westgate Mall, Plaza 66, and Citic Plaza in this vibrant commercial district.
Three on the Bund: Immerse yourself in the innovative and sophisticated atmosphere of Three on the Bund. This complex combines upscale retail shops, art galleries, fine dining, and entertainment in an architecturally stunning setting.
Tour Price
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: cht-cx-28
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.